"Whereas the tourist generally hurries back home at the end of a few weeks or months, the traveler, belonging no more to one place than the next, moves slowly, over periods of years from one part of the earth to another." -Paul Bowles
Sunday, 6 June 2010
The Novelty of the Day
One of the common irritations of being an expat is being constantly asked, at the beginning of a conversation with a stranger, where one is from. It didn't bother me so much at the start of my days abroad, but at this point in time I'm over it, particularly when it comes from the local checkout person. Yesterday while hubs and I were paying for our groceries, the lady behind the till said..."And where are you folks from?" Stunned out of my flirty discussion with my man about how I'd snuck an extra chocolate bar into the cart, I turned my eyes to our lady with a glance that asked if she had two heads and said, "We're from here." Of course I got a confused look back, so I followed up by pointing to hubs and stating "He's from here. I'm from Chicago...but I live here now." That led to the usual questions about how long I've been here, and whether I like it. I realise people can't help asking, but it seems like just when I'm being most at home, I'm treated like an outsider. It gets on my tits, gives me the shits, and will probably be the same 20 years from now. My mom said the reason the checkout chick knew I was a foreigner was because I'm rude;)
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4 comments:
Aww, cut her some slack, she was just makin' conversation :-) We do that. We're a friendly lot us Aussies :-D
At least you know where you're from. Having emigrated here at the age of 1, I feel Australian but have to admit when forced, that I was born in the UK. Not my fault I insist. Just unlucky.
Guess you'll have empathy for Steve when he's being asked all those questions this summer when he's here.
By the way, I didn't phrase that rudeness remark exactly how you did!!
Lucky Steve will probably be getting flirted with left and right...
'Here' is my answer as well. I don't usually elaborate anymore. Can't be bothered.
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